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OpenAI is all set to expand its hardware ambitions with the acquisition of Glass Imaging. This is a startup focused on artificial intelligence-powered smartphone camera technology.
According to The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI acquired the California-based company in a deal valued at more than USD 300 million. Neither OpenAI nor Glass Imaging had publicly confirmed the transaction so far.
According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, “ The deal was completed quietly in recent months and valued Glass Imaging at more than USD300 million. The company was worth around USD 100 million after its funding round last year.”
Glass Imaging was founded in 2019 by Ziv Attar and Tom Bishop. Both founders previously worked at Apple, focused on camera technology. Their work included helping develop Apple’s Portrait mode.
According to the latest reports, “In a 2022 interview with Computer Vision News, the founders recalled that innovation in the camera was incremental, and that adding additional cameras to the smartphone was an uphill battle.”
The deal could mark another step in OpenAI’s transition from an AI software company into a broader consumer technology player.
Camera technology could become particularly important for future AI devices. Cameras can give AI assistants greater visual context, allowing them to understand surroundings, objects and user interactions.
OpenAI’s work with Jony Ive has already fuelled speculation around new consumer devices. Adding Glass Imaging’s camera expertise could give that hardware effort another important capability.
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